MVP Scoper: Scoping minimum viable product...

Defines the smallest buildable product that validates a core hypothesis using feature triage, effort/impact scoring, a 2-week sprint scope, and success criteria.

Activation

When this skill activates, output:

MVP Scoper: Scoping minimum viable product...

Then execute the protocol below.

Context Guard

Common Mistakes

Protocol

Step 1: Define the Hypothesis

If the user hasn't provided details, ask:

1. Idea: what are you building? (one paragraph)
2. Target user: who is the first user? (be specific: not "everyone")
3. Problem: what painful problem does this solve?
4. Assumption: what's the riskiest assumption? (the thing that must be true for this to work)
5. Existing alternatives: how do people solve this today?

Hypothesis template:

## Core Hypothesis

We believe that [target users]
have a problem with [specific pain point].

If we build [proposed solution],
they will [expected behavior: sign up, pay, use weekly, share].

We will know this is true when [measurable success criteria].

### Riskiest Assumption
[The single assumption that, if wrong, makes the whole product fail]

### How the MVP Tests This
[Specifically how the MVP will validate or invalidate the assumption]

Step 2: List ALL Desired Features

Brain-dump every feature the user imagines, without filtering:

## Feature Wish List (Unfiltered)

1. [Feature A]
2. [Feature B]
3. [Feature C]
4. [Feature D]
...
[List everything: the filtering comes next]

Goal: Get everything out of the user's head so nothing feels "lost." This makes the cutting process psychologically easier.

Step 3: Score Features (Effort vs Impact)

Rate each feature on two axes:

Score = Impact ÷ Effort (higher is better)

Impact criteria (how much does this feature validate the hypothesis?):

• 5: Directly tests the core hypothesis, users can't use the MVP without it
• 4: Strongly supports the core experience
• 3: Nice to have, improves experience but not essential to the test
• 2: Quality-of-life improvement, not related to core hypothesis
• 1: Cool idea, but doesn't help validate anything right now

Effort criteria (how long to build it?):

• 1: Hours: trivial implementation
• 2: 1-2 days: straightforward
• 3: 3-5 days: moderate complexity
• 4: 1-2 weeks: significant work
• 5: 2+ weeks: major undertaking

Step 4: Apply the MVP Cut

Three buckets:

The 2-week test: After bucketing, verify the Core features fit in a 2-week sprint (10 working days):

## MVP Scope: 2-Week Build

| Feature | Effort (days) | Notes |
|---------|-------------|-------|
| [Core Feature A] | 2 | [Brief note] |
| [Core Feature B] | 1 | [Brief note] |
| [Core Feature C] | 3 | [Brief note] |
| [Core Feature D] | 2 | [Brief note] |
| Buffer (20%) | 2 | Bugs, blockers, integration |
| **Total** | **10 days** | ✓ Fits in 2-week sprint |

If it doesn't fit in 2 weeks:

1. Cut the lowest-scoring Core feature
2. Simplify the highest-effort feature (can you build a simpler version?)
3. Consider a different MVP type (see Step 5)

Step 5: Choose MVP Type

Not every MVP requires writing code:

Decision tree:

Is the riskiest assumption about DEMAND (will people want this)?
├── Yes → Landing page MVP or Video MVP
│         (Validate demand before building anything)
└── No → Is the riskiest assumption about VALUE (can you deliver)?
    ├── Yes → Wizard of Oz or Concierge MVP
    │         (Deliver value manually, automate later)
    └── No → Is it about USABILITY (can people figure it out)?
        └── Yes → Single Feature MVP or Piecemeal MVP
                  (Build the core mechanic, skip everything else)

Step 6: Define Success Criteria

## MVP Success Criteria

### Primary metric (must hit to continue):
- [Metric]: [Target] within [Timeframe]
- Example: "50 signups within 2 weeks of launch"
- Example: "10% of free users convert to paid within 30 days"
- Example: "Users return 3+ times per week"

### Secondary metrics (supporting signals):
- [Metric]: [Target]
- [Metric]: [Target]

### Kill criteria (stop if):
- [Metric] below [threshold] after [timeframe]
- Example: "Fewer than 20 signups after 2 weeks of promotion"
- Example: "Zero paying customers after 30-day free trial"

### What happens next:

| Result | Action |
|--------|--------|
| Hit primary metric | Proceed to v1.1: add Deferred features |
| Mixed results | Run 2-3 user interviews to understand why. Iterate MVP. |
| Failed kill criteria | Pivot: change target user, problem, or solution |

Step 7: Build the MVP Spec

Assemble the final MVP specification:

## Tech Stack Recommendation

| Layer | Recommendation | Rationale |
|-------|---------------|-----------|
| Frontend | [Framework] | [Why: speed, familiarity, ecosystem] |
| Backend | [Framework/service] | [Why] |
| Database | [DB] | [Why] |
| Hosting | [Platform] | [Why: deployment speed, free tier] |
| Auth | [Solution] | [Why] |

### Build vs Buy decisions:
- [Component]: Build / Buy / Skip for MVP
- Auth: Use [Clerk/Supabase Auth/NextAuth], don't build auth from scratch
- Payments: Use [Stripe], don't build payment processing
- Email: Use [Resend/SendGrid], don't build email infrastructure

MVP build rule: Buy or use existing services for everything except your core differentiator. Only build what makes your product unique.

Output Format

# MVP Scope: [Product Name]

## Hypothesis
[From Step 1]

## Feature Triage

### Core (Build in MVP)
| Feature | Impact | Effort | Days |
[Core features table]

### Deferred (v1.1)
| Feature | Impact | Effort | Rationale |
[Deferred features table]

### Cut
| Feature | Rationale |
[Cut features with brief explanation]

## MVP Type
[Selected type from Step 5 with rationale]

## Build Plan
[2-week schedule from Step 4]

## Success Criteria
[From Step 6]

## Tech Stack
[From Step 7]

## Risks
| Risk | Mitigation |
[Top 3 risks and how to address them]

Completion

MVP Scoper: Complete!

Hypothesis: [One-line summary]
MVP type: [Type]
Core features: [Count] ([X days] to build)
Deferred features: [Count]
Cut features: [Count]
Build timeline: [X weeks]
Success metric: [Primary metric + target]

Next steps:
1. Validate the hypothesis with 5 target users before building (show the spec)
2. Set up the tech stack
3. Build Core features in priority order
4. Launch to [initial audience: waitlist, beta group, community]
5. Measure success criteria at [timeframe]

Level History

• Lv.1: Base: Hypothesis template with riskiest assumption, feature brain-dump + impact/effort scoring, 3-bucket feature triage (core/defer/cut), 2-week sprint fit test, 6 MVP types with decision tree, success criteria with kill criteria, tech stack recommendation with build/buy guidance. (Origin: MemStack Pro v3.2, Mar 2026)